SHARC Energy Systems welcomed Scotland’s Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, to Clyde Gateway where it has been contracted to install a low carbon district heating system.

Clyde Gateway was established in 2008 to carry out the regeneration of 840 hectares across the east end of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.

Working in partnership with Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government, Clyde Gateway is driving forward £1.5 billion of private sector investment to establish this area as a hub of business activity.

The success to date has been remarkable – of the800,000 square feet of Grade A office and industrial space that Clyde Gateway has already developed, more than 85 per cent has been let or sold.

SHARC Energy Systems, the European arm of Vancouver-based SHARC International Systems, has been contracted by Clyde Gateway to install a low carbon district heating system at the site, using its heat recovery technology that taps into the latent heat of the town sewer systems to drive efficient operation of water source heat pumps.

SHARC has designed and developed a new method for extracting waste heat from raw sewage flows. Through heat pump technology, it produces clean, renewable thermal energy for buildings, resulting in vital savings in energy, costs and carbon emissions.

Russ Burton, Chief Operating Officer of SHARC Energy Systems, said: “We are really excited to be supporting Clyde Gateway’s ambitions, and having established the viability of our technology and business solution as a method for developing a low carbon / renewable district heating solution, we are delighted to be nearing financial close on the development of the project, which is also supported by the LCITP.

“It was a great pleasure to meet Paul Wheelhouse and to have the opportunity to discuss the Scottish Government’s ambition for a low carbon economy and the transition strategy they are pursuing in this quest.

“SHARC is working hard to ensure its technology meets the Scottish Government’s policy criteria and we look forward to continuing to support the delivery of this progressive agenda being championed by the Minister and his department, across Scotland.

Russ added that the Clyde Gateway project is being closely watched by others around the UK, including a significant district heating scheme in London.

Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The economic and social regeneration of disadvantaged communities is a key priority for the Scottish Government, and we are committed to the Clyde Gateway project which is continuing to deliver positive outcomes on behalf of its communities, which it has done with Scottish Government financial support since 2007.

“I have been very much impressed by the exciting work being done by Clyde Gateway to bring derelict land back into use, enable quality new build premises and homes to be constructed, and to bring businesses to the area and encourage local businesses to grow.

“Clyde Gateway are doing a great job in creating new, sustainable employment opportunities for local people and delivering on inclusive growth across the area and I wish them even further success in the future.”

Ian Manson, Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway said: “It has been a pleasure to welcome the Minister to Clyde Gateway and show him why the regeneration of this area has been so successful to date. Companies tell us they are being attracted by the quality of business space, the excellent transport links, the cost savings compared with city centers and the business support on offer. The fact that a workforce of 1.5 million live within a 60-minute commute of Clyde Gateway also makes recruitment easy, which is an added bonus.”